What level a Solo PC?

[Irda Ranger]

As a general rule of thumb, what level should a Solo PC be to handle Challenge Ratings appropriate for a group of 4 PCs of a given level?

CR + 2 or 3?
CR*1.5?

Do many have experience with this? I have DMed for a while, but it was always for groups, and I have a Solo PC (Human Aristocrat1/ Rogue1) about to start the Freeport Cycle, and I am worried about her being overwhelmed with the adventure the way it is, or underwhelmed if I make it too easy.

Any suggestions for how I should judge the relative CRs?

Irda Ranger

 

[Eternalknight]

According to Dungeon Mag., the effective party level of a solo character is level -4. This means, one 5th level party member is equal to a party of four 1st level characters.

 

[Crothian]

I'd really expereiment as the differences in power from one solo PC to another can be great.

 

[Irda Ranger]

Level -4, really? Whoa. That's more than I thought. I thought that -3 was pusing it, but I would think that they would have playtested that more than I.

Crothian - Yes, Solo PCs are more limited in their options than a party with 4-5 different folks. That being the case though, the Freeport Cycle is very similar to a Cthulu investigation (so I told) with a lot of politicing, investigating, sneaking into enemy areas and intrigue, so the Rogue/Aristrocrat is tailor made for that. Clearly a straight up Fighter would find this much more difficult.

Maybe go with level 4 then?

Irda Ranger

 

[shilsen]

Level -4, really? Whoa. That's more than I thought. I thought that -3 was pusing it, but I would think that they would have playtested that more than I.

Level-4 should be right. I don't get Dragon, but an easy way to work it out is by using the Encounter Level charts. 2 PCs of level X form an EL of X+2. Hence, 4 PCs of level X form an EL of X+4. As does a single PC of level X+4. Voila!

 

[Eternalknight]

Yep, as far as I know the table in Dungeon is based off the Encounter Level charts.

 

[Creamsteak]

For a group of 4 PCs they should be able to kill a single CR 5 encounter in a day, and then they should be exausted (with possible casualties). I've ran a few level 1 groups challenging a troll before, and it tends to work out with that being the result (one character is always downed in a single hit, and then the others manage to subdue the creature). Also, I've seen a CR 7 creature (Chaos Beast) Taken down by a group of Level 1 Characters (6 total) in about 3 rounds, but with two casualties.

CR isn't accurate, but in my experience I'm getting a little bit better at guessing where to aim, especially with low-mid levels (I'm thinking 1-7).

 

[Irda Ranger]

Its the EL stupid!

I don't know why I didn't think of the Encounter Levels earlier! Thanks!

Irda Ranger

 

[Geoff Watson]

Ignore CR for a single PC. You have to compare each opponents abilities with the character's specific abilities.

Also, with only one PC, there isn't anyone to save him if he has some bad luck; a character in a group can have someone heal him if he gets into negative hit points, or distract the opponents while he recovers from a short duration KO spell (colour spray, hold person, etc), or even drag him off to a temple and get him raised.

Geoff.

 

[David Argall]

Solo = how many levels?

Those I argue with insist that 1 high level is superior to the same number of levels split among several lower levels. Their experience is quite possibly superior to my own, but the few experiments I have made argue the low levels should win.

However, I would just say that any solo campaign should be very leary of combat. There are a tremendous number of spells that become save or die if you don't have a friend to help. Your mage is not likely to last past the 1st time some serious fighter catches him flat-footed... Either you are very careful about what you throw at him, or you just run a campaign without much combat.
An alternative is to give him a few NPC to run around with him.